Fox taps studio head David Madden as entertainment chief, elevates Joe Earley to COO of new TV group

The beleagued Fox Broadcasting network has a new leader: David Madden has been named president of entertainment, in charge of prime-time programming.

Madden has spent more than a dozen years in the trenches at Fox.

The veteran executive has been in charge of the Fox TV Studios production unit, which produces high-profile dramas including FX's "The Americans" and USA Network's "Burn Notice."

Now, Madden will oversee scripted and alternative programming and development, in addition to casting, for the Fox network, which ended the most recent season in fourth place in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic after the collapse of its juggernaut program, "American Idol," in the ratings.

Also on Thursday, another longtime executive, Joe Earley, was promoted to chief operating officer for the recently consolidated Fox Television Group, which includes the 20th Century Fox Television Studio as well as the Fox Broadcasting network.

The appointments mark the first executive changes since studio heads Gary Newman and Dana Walden became co-chairmen of the Fox Television Group last month after the departure of network chief Kevin Reilly.

Newman and Walden have spent more than a decade in charge of Fox's television production studios.

The consolidation gave Walden and Newman much greater turf and followed a trend in the TV industry of merging networks with TV studios.

Now, most major studios concentrate on developing shows for their sister network rather than selling programs to rival companies. Warner Bros. and Sony Television remain independent from a broadcast network.

Newman and Walden lauded Madden's "eye for talent" and his ability to work with producers, writers and agents as reasons for his promotion.

“Over his nearly 15-year tenure at Fox Television Studios, David helped transform FTVS into one of the premier brands in cable programming, and we are elated to bring his stellar expertise and reputation to the Fox network," Walden and Newman said in a statement.

Earley also received a significant promotion.

For the past two years, Earley has been the No. 2 at Fox Broadcasting and for two years. During the last year, he took on additional responsibilities, including oversight of the network's development and programming. He helped launch such successful shows as "Sleepy Hollow" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

Earley started working at Fox more than 20 years ago as a senior publicist. In his new role, he will be in charge of the day-to-day operations not only at the network but also at the TV production studios.

He will work with 20th Century Fox Television studio execs on development, production, business affairs, marketing and finance. He will also oversee the development of international co-productions as well as publicity and talent relations at the studio.

Earley will continue to be the point-person on marketing, communications and other essential matters for the network.

“He is an exceptionally valuable leader within our company, with a unique ability to see the big picture, and we’re really looking forward to having him spearhead initiatives that take full advantage of the incredible opportunities across our [TV] series,” Walden and Newman said in the statement.

Madden and Earley will take on their new roles immediately. Both executives will report to Walden and Newman.

Fox said a replacement for Madden's position at FTVS will be announced soon.